Saidpur:Eighteen newly-imported railway coaches arrived at the Saidpur Railway Workshop in Nilphamari district from India early this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh Railway will carry out de-processing, commissioning, and trial runs for these coaches. This will involve the use of locomotives, necessary crew, tool vans, and other essential support systems.
These coaches are part of a broader initiative to expand the Bangladesh Railway fleet and were procured through RITES Limited, an Indian public sector undertaking. The current consignment consists of 18 coaches of four different types, marking the first delivery under a bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and India for the procurement of 200 broad-gauge railway coaches.
The shipment includes 11 non-AC 'Shovon' (standard) chair coaches, three AC chair coaches, two AC sleeper coaches, and two AC power cars. The power cars are equipped with a separate compartment for the guard and space for passenger luggage. These coaches were manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab, India.
Shah Sufi Nur Mohammad, Divisional Superintendent of the Saidpur Railway Workshop, mentioned that the coaches have not yet been opened. He stated that a team of Indian experts will work alongside the workshop's staff to conduct inspections and testing. Once mechanical inspections and trial runs are completed, the coaches will be handed over to the Traffic Department.